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Added to the WWW by Mark J. Alexander from Los Angeles, California
last updated   07-01-04

From Chris Yates


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(written by Lois Stevenson to Norma Yates) From Chris Yates

These are notes Mother wrote in a little notebook

 

LIFE STORY OF GRACE ALEXANDER NOV.1957

Grace Cross was born Oct. 31st 1885 in Pine Island Minnesota. The daughter of Edward and Lydia Cross (nee Hart). At the age of 3 years 9 mo. she was bereft of a kind and loving mother.

Mr. and Mrs. John Hardy a sister of Grace's mother took Grace and her brother to their home in Leola S. Dakota to rise as their own. They were a wonderful couple with no children of their own and love and devotion to we children, was more than own parents bestowed upon their own. I lived a carefree life and was taught to love my God and Savior. All my brother or I were in after years we owed to this dear couple. Many hardships were endured and sacrificed by them to provide food and clothing and shelter for us. Very often they went without to buy warm clothing for my brother and I. I recall one time especially when my uncle froze his foot by so doing and was laid up all winter.

My dear uncle was struck by lightening on his way home from Leola and died 11 days later of lockjaw and gangrene. We lost the best father a child ever had in his demise. My brother was not at home then he had gone to live with his father. My Aunt Stella sold everything and took his body to Pine Island for burial. He was a veteran of the Civil War and how proud I was of him when he marched in the parade on Decoration Day.

My Aunt and I lived in her little home there and I attended school. All though I did not graduate, I passed the Teacher's tests and taught three terms of school before married and one term afterwards. I had an active life before I married Albert G. Alexander Oct. 31st 1906, in Red wing, Minn., Married buy the Justice of the Peace there.

Public speaking was my hobby and I won a gold medal when I was 17 years old and the State prize In the Opera house.

Mr. And Mrs. Albert Alexander were the parents of 10 children. Raising eight. Mr. Alexander was a master mechanic and worked for the city of Rochester as mechanic and driver at the Rochester Fire Department nearly fourteen years. Then he was taken down with sciatica and was un-able to work at the Fire Department again. However he built a new home that burned down.

We came to Petaluma California June 1944 where Mrs. A. worked at the P Poultry Producers of Central California nearly five years. (A note from me) Mother and Auntie sold Larken Goods to make money for food and clothing. Auntie only had a very small pension from Uncle Jacks Civil War duties.

The folks went thru the depression so hard for them. Dad did work in the tool shed of the Silver Lake W.P.A. works, when he was laid off. Mother worked on the sewing W.P.A. job. Norma you helped to carry food home when it was so cold that was given to every one. I never realized really how hard it was for you. I was only making 5$ a week and board and room myself. Had them down often for a good meal. And Grandpa Keller always gave them some fresh meat when ever he butchered at the farm.

Mother had more than she ever had the last few years. Was so happy in her little home. Her own boss no one to say you have to do this or that. I tried to do as much as I could for them. They were always so good to me. Wish I had of had more to have given. But one can only do what you can.




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